12 Picture Book Biographies of Truly Amazing Women
by Laura Lambert
Picture this: A girl, not unlike someone might you know, who took what could have been an ordinary life and turned it into something extraordinary. These 12 women changed the world in a way that only they could — through their words, their actions, their talents, their ideas, and their resilience. And these 12 picture book biographies bring their worlds to life for some of our littlest readers.
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Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography
Available from:Swifties of all ages will love this Little Golden Book Biography about the Grammy-winning and multiplatinum artist. Taylor Swift’s talent and hard work helped her become a versatile singer and songwriter beloved by fans around the world. Little readers (and their parents) will feel inspired to reach for the stars!
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Turning Pages
Available from:As a little girl, books saved Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court justice. While this ostensibly is a story about Sotomayor’s life, it’s really about the love of reading.
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Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller
Available from:This beautiful book spotlights a woman who used her passion for storytelling to make a difference in her community. Augusta Baker learned how to tell amazing stories from her grandmother and eventually became the first Black coordinator of children’s services at the New York Public Library. Her storytelling abilities and desire for better representation led her to champion other Black creators at the library.
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She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
Available from:Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley started writing Frankenstein at just 18 years old. Today, on the 200th anniversary of the book’s publishing, Lynne Fulton revisits the very night the young writer invented one of our most lasting, unforgettable characters.
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Stitch by Stitch
Available from:Elizabeth (Lizzy) was born into slavery on a Virginia plantation. When she grew up, she went to work for a tailor and learned how to make beautiful clothes. Lizzy became a sought-after seamstress and eventually bought freedom for herself and her son. Afterward, she continued to sew gowns for wealthy and influential women, including the First Lady.
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The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
Available from:At 89 years old, Jane Goodall is still going strong — in fact, she just announced a partnership with Bezos Earth Fund to further expand her conservation work in Africa. This sweet picture book traces Goodall’s passion for animals back to her childhood in London and her first trip to Africa to observe chimpanzees.
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Before She Was Harriet
Available from:The abolitionist and civil rights activist we know as Harriet Tubman — the most important “conductor” on the Underground Railroad — actually went by many names in her lifetime. This book covers them all, and tells her incredible life story in verse.
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I am Billie Jean King
Available from:On September 20, 1973 — at the height of the women’s movement — female tennis champion Billie Jean King famously took on Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs — and won. (The match was called the “Battle of the Sexes.”) This installment in the popular Ordinary People Change the World series introduces young readers to some of the challenges King faced and successes she celebrated.
RELATED: Inspiring Children's Books Starring Female Athletes
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Firebird
Available from:Misty Copeland’s name is practically synonymous with ballet, and for good reason. Though she didn’t get her start until she was 13, she went on to become the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history. Copeland continues to be an empowering role model for aspiring dancers, and in Firebird, she charts her course from an unsure young girl joining a new world to the indomitable performer, athlete, and public figure she is today.
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Joan Proctor Dragon Doctor
Available from:Can you imagine having a tea party with a Komodo dragon? It’s an unusual proposition, but it was just another day at work for Joan Procter, an internationally renowned herpetologist — that is, a zoologist who studies reptiles and amphibians. Procter was born in the UK in 1897, and while her peers favored dolls, Procter was never without her favorite lizard. In adulthood, she was named the first female Curator of Reptiles at London Zoo, and her valuable work both furthered the field of study and opened doors for others like her.
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Oprah Winfrey: A Little Golden Book Biography
Available from:Talk show host, producer, and actor Oprah Winfrey has been an inspiration for generations of people. This Little Golden Book Biography highlights Oprah’s achievements, how she rose to prominence, and how she uses her platform and immense influence to improve the world.
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Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education
Available from:Malala Yousafzai grew up in the beautiful mountains of Pakistan, where she was a precocious young girl who loved going to school. At fifteen, when she defied the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education, she was nearly killed for it. This beautiful picture book biography, resplendent in its illustrations, follows Malala through her extraordinary young life, including her continued activism, infamous UN speech, and historic Nobel Peace Prize.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2024.